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02-22-2019, 05:50 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
2017 Basecamp
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 24
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Any recommendations on portable solar panel units?
Now that my Basecamp is in covered storage the factory installed solar panels on the roof can't keep the batteries charged. I need to locate a good option for a portable solar panel setup to connect to the exterior solar panel connection.
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02-22-2019, 07:04 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master  
2004 28' Classic
Monument
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,566
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Get a portable Eclipse solar panel from Renogy. Then the engineering fun begins!!!
__________________
DaveP
2004 Airstream Classic 28 "Willard"
2023 Ram 3500 4x4
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02-22-2019, 09:01 PM
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#3
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Registered User
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Fairfield
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 905
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I bought 3 flexable panels, wiring and a solar charger and built my own. Renogy has great parts including a good flexable panel and a great water proof solar charger that are on sale right now.
Thanks,
Matti
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02-22-2019, 09:41 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mattirs
I bought 3 flexable panels, wiring and a solar charger and built my own. Renogy has great parts including a good flexable panel and a great water proof solar charger that are on sale right now.
Thanks,
Matti
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I bought a 160watt zamp suitcase a number if years ago. Very happy with it. In the meantime I schooled up on solar systems, so when my son wanted one, I built a suitcase with two renogy 100 watt panels for about half the money.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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02-22-2019, 10:22 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member 
2017 27' International
Lake Havasu City
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 310
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Food for thought: Renogy's "Compact Design" 100 W rigid panels (which at $113 look like the current best buy) are performance warranted (90% of rated output) for 10 years. Renogy's 100 W flexible panels are performance warranted for 0 (yes, zero) years.
I've had flexible panels. I've seen them fail after a year or so. I use rigid panels on the ground now. Bonus: they cost half as much per watt as the flexibles.
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02-23-2019, 06:01 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,346
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I use a 100 watt Renogy suitcase panel. No complaints and it has kept me going for over a week (then I moved, I didn't run out of juice).
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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02-23-2019, 07:00 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2016 23' International
Centennial
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,684
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I have a Renogy 200 watt suitcase set up. Works well and easy to transport.
__________________
Steve "Centennial Man"
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02-23-2019, 08:58 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1991 25' Excella
2011 19' Flying Cloud
Santa Ynez
, California
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam
I use a 100 watt Renogy suitcase panel. No complaints and it has kept me going for over a week (then I moved, I didn't run out of juice).
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This is what I have and with 30' of cable.
The legs are not the best design but get the job done.
__________________
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Will Rogers
Alan
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02-23-2019, 09:19 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 24
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I like the Zamp 90W foldable which packs in front trailer compartment on my 25 foot Flying Cloud. They have SAE connector / solar port to mount outside battery box so you plug into the port rather than open battery lid to hook up alligator clips on battery terminal - simple and elegant. Also I have Zamp solar panels on top and 500W controller. Zamp is a good design and their engineers take phone calls with your questions.Happy with Zamp 7 years running!
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02-23-2019, 10:09 AM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
2004 25' International CCD
Dubuque
, Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 57
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Have Go Power 120 portable panels (suitcase) . Plugs into 7 pin to charge. See ad in Airstream Life store.
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02-23-2019, 11:20 AM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member 
2013 Interstate Coach
Yarnell
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee-Robert
Now that my Basecamp is in covered storage the factory installed solar panels on the roof can't keep the batteries charged. I need to locate a good option for a portable solar panel setup to connect to the exterior solar panel connection.
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Just make sure the connections are compatible. I have two Goal Zero 100 Boulder suitcases. I like them, but their proprietary connections are a problem.
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02-23-2019, 07:50 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Panama City Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 32
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We bought a Zamp 160 watt portable suitcase. We had a quick disconnect installed on our coach and then purchased an extension cord so that we had more options when moving it around to catch the 'sun'
__________________
Diane
2Dreamin
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext.
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02-24-2019, 07:15 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2017 Basecamp
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Dreamin
We bought a Zamp 160 watt portable suitcase. We had a quick disconnect installed on our coach and then purchased an extension cord so that we had more options when moving it around to catch the 'sun'
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Is it waterproof? Can you post the model number?
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02-24-2019, 09:24 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2004 28' Classic
Monument
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,566
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The Renogy suitcases with controller have waterproof controllers. What I did with my 200 watt Renogy suitcase is put the MPPT controller inside the trailer. I used 6 gauge, highly flexible welding wire with Anderson Power Pole connectors to make a 30 foot extension cable. I also made a 10 foot cable for when the sun will be on the front of the trailer all day long.
__________________
DaveP
2004 Airstream Classic 28 "Willard"
2023 Ram 3500 4x4
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02-24-2019, 01:19 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,226
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Any recommendations on portable solar panel units?
As an alternative to a suitcase, just get a couple of 100 watt panels, about 40-60 feet of solar cable and a Victron solar controller. This will perform better than a suitcase and only cost about $400. You can also mount it permanently down the road on your Basecamp or another Airstream.
There is no need to go any larger than #10 wire as the current is only about 5 amps if you connect your panels in series.
Dan  
The next photo was taken when the solar output was much higher, about 175 watts from the panels (based on the Victron controller) and 167 watts into the batteries (based on the Trimetric).   
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02-24-2019, 01:45 PM
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#16
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Registered User
2016 25' Flying Cloud
Fairfield
, California
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 905
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paprika
I've had flexible panels. I've seen them fail after a year or so. I use rigid panels on the ground now. Bonus: they cost half as much per watt as the flexibles.
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I waited for the panels went on sale, this helped on pricing, so far mine have lasted over two years.
What I like about flexable panels is that they are light and very easy to store.
Thanks
Matti
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02-25-2019, 10:15 AM
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#17
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2 Rivet Member
2017 30' Flying Cloud
Astoria
, Oregon
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 20
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Dave-We have the 200 w suitcase from Renogy and the reverse polarity adaptor to connect to Zamp solar plug. It still does not work through the plug. If we hook up to battery directly works fine. Did you have problems with the Zamp solar plug? We can’t figure it out.
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02-26-2019, 06:58 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2004 28' Classic
Monument
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,566
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Hi tschambo,
If you are asking me (DaveP), I cannot answer from experience. I do not have any Zamp equipment. If it is just reverse polarity, then I would say that you might have some bad crimps or a faulty adapter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tschambo
Dave-We have the 200 w suitcase from Renogy and the reverse polarity adaptor to connect to Zamp solar plug. It still does not work through the plug. If we hook up to battery directly works fine. Did you have problems with the Zamp solar plug? We can’t figure it out.
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__________________
DaveP
2004 Airstream Classic 28 "Willard"
2023 Ram 3500 4x4
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02-26-2019, 07:39 AM
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#19
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Yes>>
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee-Robert
Is it waterproof? Can you post the model number?
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Our Zamp has stayed out...but really it's not a concern they are portable after all. 🤔
I fold 'em up and put 'em in the Burb right after I roll up the awning. 👍
Bob
🇺🇸
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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03-03-2019, 11:24 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2022 20' Basecamp
1968 17' Caravel
Los Osos
, California
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 613
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I have both the ZAMP 160 for a 2 x 6 volt AGM trailer and a ZAMP 120 for the single 12 volt AGM trailer. Both work very well.
I opted for the made-in-the-USA ZAMPs instead of the Canadian based Renology and Go Power! Valterra Power panels. I've read that people have had difficulties with warranty issues with the Cnadian companies.
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